In his opening remarks, President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz said that the international community needs to do much more and faster and take advantage of this unique opportunity that Liberians have now, after 25 years of instability, to take control of their destiny. Liberia’s $3.7 billion debt is clearly unsustainable and an unacceptable burden. He called on the international community to work together to clear the arrears so that the country can move forward. He paid tribute to what he terms as the “inspirational leadership of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” and added that this new hope must not be allowed to fade away. He said that “Those who remember the horror of the past can hardly imagine that Liberia has now become a place of hope.
Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, celebrated the second anniversary of the Rose Revolution in Georgia. He spoke about the evidence of reduced corruption in Georgia. Georgia had the second largest improvement in performance last year of any country in the world. In transforming its own society, Georgia sets an example for the region. He assured that Georgia can count on the World Bank Group as a committed partner. Finally, he concluded by saying that Georgian determination which shined so brightly in the Rose Revolution will continue to be a beacon supporting the Georgian ideals of freedom and prosperity.
